Students in Alabama can benefit from Alabama scholarships and grants as well as federal educational funding. If you’re wondering how you’re going to pay for school in Alabama, it’s worth your while to check out the Alabama financial aid available through various organizations linked to this state. While some of these grants and scholarships are just for Alabama residents attending Alabama colleges, some can be transferred to other state’s schools and some are available for non-resident students attending Alabama colleges and universities for a postsecondary education.

Here is some information about some of the most widely applicable Alabama scholarships and grants:

Alabama Commission on Higher Education Student Grant Program

This program is meant to help students attending various Alabama colleges pay for school. Since the awards are in the form of grants, they don’t need to be paid back. Funding varies from year to year, but this award is not based on need. Instead, students must simply attend certain Alabama colleges or universities and prove that they are legal residents of Alabama. Students can get up to $1,200 per academic year, although the maximum amount is only granted when the program has full funding for the academic year.

Students can get applications at individual colleges and universities as well as from the Alabama Commission on Higher Education. Universities such as Amridge University, Faulkner University, Huntingdon College, Spring Hill college, and the University of Mobile are all participants in this grant program. Both part-time and full-time students are eligible for this award, although the full-time award is significantly larger, and students must be taking six credit hours a semester to apply for the grant.

Alabama Student Assistance Program

This is actually a federally funded grant and scholarship program that’s run through and Alabama scholarship organization. Students must be legal residents of Alabama and must be attending an Alabama college or university to apply for this program. However, the choices are broad for those who attending school in Alabama, since over eighty schools in the state participate in the program.

Unlike the Student Grant Program, this Alabama grant program is need based. Students can be eligible for awards from $300 to $2,500 per academic year, depending on income. To apply for this award, students only have to submit their Free Application for Federal Student Aid by the deadline. Both high school and undergraduate college students are eligible to apply for the award.

Two-Year College Academic Scholarship Program

This is a great scholarship for those who want to accelerate their education with a degree from a two-year college or community college. It’s based on academic merit, which is determined by a scholarship committee. This award can actually cover up to the entire cost of tuition at certain institutions, which makes this one of the best Alabama grants for those seeking an Associate’s degree.

To apply for this award, students should contact the financial aid office at a two-year postsecondary school in Alabama. Application deadlines vary, but students should try to submit the form as early as possible. While this award is available to out-of-state students attending two-year Alabama schools, the committee gives preference to in-state residents. The award is renewable as long as the student shows sufficient academic progress and excellence during the first year of schooling.

Senior Adult Scholarship Program

This is one of the more interesting Alabama scholarships. Students over the age of sixty who are attending two-year postsecondary educational institutions in Alabama may be eligible for this award. The program essentially gives seniors free tuition at certain institutions. It is neither needs-based nor merit-based. Students simply need to apply to the right two-year Alabama schools and be over the age of sixty to apply for the award.

To apply for this award, students should contact their institution’s financial aid office. Deadlines vary, so check early to see if you may be eligible for this award.

Alabama National Guard Educational Assistance Program

Students who are members of the Alabama National Guard are eligible for these Alabama grants and scholarships. Students must be active members of the National Guard and in good standing. Students can receive up to $500 a semester or $1,000 a year, and the awards are not based on need. Students who are eligible for veteran’s benefits may still apply for this award, as long as they still owe at least $25 after their veteran’s benefits are paid out.

One interesting thing about this scholarship is that it may be used for books and educational fees as well as tuition. This makes it a flexible way to help pay for some of the extra costs of college that aren’t necessarily covered with tuition fees. Students can apply through their Alabama National Guard units. Due to limited amounts of funding, students should apply as early as possible, and must have their form signed by the Alabama Military Department representative and financial aid officer at the university they plan to attend.

Junior and Community College Athletic and Performing Arts Scholarship Programs

These scholarship programs can cover up to the cost of tuition at junior and community public colleges in Alabama for students in sports and performing arts. The athletic awards are given based on try-outs and are limited by type of sport and spots available on a team. Performing arts awards are based on talent and auditions. Neither of these awards is needs-based.

In order to apply for these awards, students should contact the financial aid officer at the junior or community college they plan to attend. The application process can take time, so it’s best to apply early. For these awards, try-outs and performance auditions will be scheduled as part of the regular application process.

These are great awards for talented students who want to start their education with a two-year degree or attend a community college without paying tuition at all. Students with talents in many sports and performing arts can benefit from scholarships of varying sizes.